On the eve of Iowa-Wisconsin, future Hawkeyes Teagan Mallegni, Taylor Stremlow go head to head

McFARLAND, Wis. — The timing was impeccable, and totally accidental.

The night before the Iowa women’s basketball team faced Wisconsin, two future Hawkeyes battled, less than 10 miles away from the Kohl Center.

“It was so much fun to play this,” Teagan Mallegni said, despite the outcome; her McFarland team lost to Taylor Stremlow and visiting Verona Area, 67-55, Saturday night.

“That’s the kind of competition level we need, it’s higher than we’re used to. I’ve been looking forward to this since it was put on the schedule.”

Iowa Coach Lisa Bluder and assistant Jan Jensen were on hand. So was Callie Levin of Solon, future teammate and classmate of Mallegni and Stremlow.

“Callie coming up to watch, it was super cool,” Mallegni said. “That kind of community is why I chose Iowa.”

Stremlow said, “Having them all there was great. Their support has always been there.”

Bluder said Friday that the entire Iowa team wished to attend, the the compliance department deemed that an “illegal recruiting activity,” so that idea was shot down.

This was the lone meeting between the teams, who are in different conferences and different classes.

Verona Area (8-0) is ranked No. 4 in Division 1 (the largest of five classes in Wisconsin); McFarland (5-1) is rated third in Division 2.

Speaking of rankings: Mallegni is slotted by ESPN as the 64th-best prospect nationally in the Class of 2024. Stremlow is 88th.

They are part of a five-player class that is ranked as high as No. 8 by recruiting analysts.

  Buy Photo

A 6-foot guard whose mother Sara is the McFarland coach, Mallegni posted 32 points (she made 11 of 21 shots, including 4 of 10 from long range, plus 6 of 7 from the free-throw line) and grabbed nine rebounds, but committed seven turnovers.

Stremlow, 5-foot-9, is more of a true point guard. She registered 16 points, eight rebounds, six assists and four steals.

“My shot wasn’t falling tonight,” she said after a 5-of-18 night from the floor. “But I was able to get some rebounds and make passes, putting my teammates in position to score.”

Stremlow had the superior supporting cast, which includes St. Cloud State commit Reagan Briggs (31 points).

“That’s definitely the best game we’ve had,” Stremlow said. “Playing against Teagan, it was awesome. She’s amazing.”

Mallegni’s game is somewhat reminiscent of another former suburban Madison standout, McKenna Warnock.

“Mom took me to a lot of games when I was younger,” Mallegni said. “I always had Monona Grove circled so I could see McKenna. The quietness of her game, I really enjoyed it.”

Caitlin Clark may or may not be back for a fifth year in 2024-25. The Hawkeyes will lose Kate Martin, Gabbie Marshall and Molly Davis for sure.

So there will be opportunities for the newcomers.

“I need to get more consistent with my shot,” Stremlow said.

As for Mallegni:

“I want to go there and be whatever they need me to be.”

What Lisa Bluder said on National Signing Day

ON TEAGAN MALLEGNI

“Teagan is one of the elite guards in the country. She has tremendous size, range and passing ability. She stretches defenses and has the ability to beat people off the bounce. She’s a tough matchup for any defense.”

ON TAYLOR STREMLOW

“Taylor is a versatile guard that can play every perimeter position. She is crafty and can break down defenses at multiple levels. She also a fun spirit combined with a toughness that is contagious on the floor.”

Comments: jeff.linder@thegazette.com